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The UK Student visa, step by step
To study a degree in the UK you usually need a Student visa. You apply after a university that is a licensed student sponsor has offered you an unconditional place and sent you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Checked against official sources on 24 September 2026.
This is general information, not immigration advice. For your own situation, speak to your university's international student adviser, UKCISA, or a regulated immigration adviser. Rules change, so always check GOV.UK before you apply.
1. Get an unconditional offer and your CAS
Your university sends you a CAS reference number once your offer is unconditional. You need it before you can apply, and you must apply within 6 months of receiving it. More about your CAS.
2. Check the money you need
You usually need to show your unpaid first-year tuition fees plus £1,171 a month for living costs outside London, or £1,529 a month in London, for up to 9 months. How the money rules work.
3. Check your English
For a degree you need English at level B2 or above. Your university can usually assess this itself. English requirements.
4. Gather your documents
- a current passport or other valid travel document,
- your CAS reference number,
- proof of money, if you need to show it,
- an ATAS certificate, if your course and nationality need one (ATAS),
- tuberculosis test results, if you live in a country where the test is required,
- consent from your parents or legal guardians if you are under 18,
- written consent from your financial sponsor, if one paid your fees and living costs in the last 12 months.
5. Apply and pay
The application fee is £558, whether you apply from outside or inside the UK. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, £776 for each year of your visa (how it works). You will give your fingerprints and a photo, or use the smartphone app if you can.
When to apply and travel
- From outside the UK, you can apply up to 6 months before your course starts.
- From inside the UK, up to 3 months before your course starts.
- You can travel to the UK up to 1 month before your course starts if it lasts more than 6 months, or up to 1 week before if it is shorter.
How long you can stay
If you are 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay for up to 5 years. The visa normally covers your course plus a short period afterwards.
What you cannot do
You cannot claim public funds (most benefits), be self-employed, or work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. Work is limited. Working while you study.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Student visa
- GOV.UK: Student visa, documents you must provide
- GOV.UK: Student visa, money you need
- GOV.UK: Immigration Health Surcharge, how much you pay
Quick answers
How much does a UK Student visa cost in 2026?
The application fee is £558. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of your visa.
When can I apply for a UK Student visa?
Up to 6 months before your course starts if you apply from outside the UK, or up to 3 months before if you apply from inside the UK. You must apply within 6 months of receiving your CAS.
Do I need an unconditional offer for a Student visa?
Yes. You need an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor, shown by your CAS.